The Market Segment Meetings have been renamed to the 4S Summit. The 4S Summit provides an opportunity for all of us to discuss our commonalities. The commonalities could be challenges we are facing or successes that we want to share. My motto “Why recreate the wheel, when I could learn from others’ successes and challenges.” The opportunity to learn from the NASC members is one of the best learning tools at the “tip” of your fingers.

 

Be ready to learn more on the 4S’s - sponsorships, sales, services and strategies. The sports tourism industry has many commonalities within these 4S’s. Is your organization focusing how strategies which may include how do we get more community involvement and trying to work government entities? Trying to “sharpen” your sales efforts such as determining if the event is a fit for your community? Is your position requiring to do more event services like finding volunteers or solicit sponsorships?

 

The 4S Summit will allow you to hear what others are doing to overcome their challenges or learn new tips to implement in your community.  

 

 

Don’t be afraid to meet “strangers” or fellow NASC members. Yes, I know your parents taught you growing up that you shouldn’t talk to strangers, but in the NASC, we are all one big family. Those strangers might become your best friends or they might even turn into your next boss or future co-workers. The one thing you will discover quickly is not only our association, but also this industry is quick to lend a helping hand when needed. Maybe it’s simple advice when faced with a problem or being there to offer a helping hand after a disaster, our members are there for one another. 

 

So, don’t look at others as strangers (or only as competition), but realize that when you’re a good friend, the return on your investment can be even better. Also, don’t think that just because you can’t work a sports rights holder now, doesn’t mean you can’t later. Some of the most valuable relationships I have developed over the years are with rights holders that couldn’t host events in my community. But just because I couldn’t host their events, doesn’t mean I still can’t work with them. In our industry, people move around and take new jobs from time to time.   

 

The best part about the 4S Summit is the FUN that you will have making new friends! A great takeaway for attending the fall meetings is the networking that happen among people who are passionate about the sports industry.  You are going home with new friends who you can call upon anytime of the year to provide advice or just listen.  

 

The afternoon session on Wednesday afternoon includes a field trip to one of the Detroit Pro Sports Fields – Olympia Entertainment, Detroit Pistons, and Detroit Lions. How COOL is this! I am excited for the opportunity to visit Ford Field!  Maybe this Green Bay Packer fan, could “steal” some ideas from the Detroit Lions. Go PACKERS….and Go LIONS!

 

 

Tammy Dunn, CSEE

Sports Development Director

Snohomish County Sports Commission

Mentor & Engagement Committee